The legislative initiative of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy is put up for public consultation from 07/01 to 21/01/2022, under the title “Modernization of the institutional framework for the activity of leisure boats and cruise ships, strengthening its competitiveness” of commercial leisure craft and other provisions “. The law is under public negotiation till 21/1 then it will go to the Parliament Committees of Trade and Development and the final approved text will be voted to become the next Yachting Law in Greece

Interesting to note in Article 8 that subject to charter VAT payment and compliance with commercial survey requirements, foreign flagged yachts in excess of 35m, without a Greek charter license, shall be allowed to charter up to 3 weeks (21 days) within Greece under a “Specified Period Charter Permission”.

There are some requirements such as :
Eligible Yachts : Over 36 meters of non-Wooden Construction .
-To pay the E-TEPADAH with a proposed formula
-Paperwork which is filed at the Port Master
-Issue after inspection of the Foreign Commercial Yacht Inspection Certificate

Further for all commercial yachts entering Greece from Albania , Turkey or any other country which have no Greek Charter License is also proposed to be charged a flat fee (as there is no legislation to charge VAT)

CORINTH CANAL REPAIR WORKS TO BEGIN

Works on the Corinth Canal walls and basin will begin in January, as Deputy Environment and Energy Minister Nikos Tagaras mentioned on his latest announcement. The works will last approximately for 6 months.

The canal was shut down after the last in a series of landslides made the channel impossible to sail through.

Mr. Tagaras said an exception was granted and an environmental impact report would not be required due to the urgency of the issue, including “restoration and repair of damage from the landslide of approximately 15,000 to 20,000 cubic meters of material” on the Peloponnese side.

SEA CONNECTIONS BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY MEASURES EXTENDED TILL 24/1/2022

• Maritime connection with Turkey has been temporarily restricted.
• Pleasure boats, regardless of flag, and cruise ships calling at Greek ports from Galata (Istanbul) and Kusadasi harbors are excluded from the ban, as long as the passengers meet the general conditions for entry
• YACHT ARRIVALS IN GREECE FROM TURKEY TILL 24/1/2022 ONLY WITH PCR OR RAPID TEST ALSO FOR VACCINATED PASSENGERS AND CREW MEMBERS

ALBANIA ENDS DUTY-FREE FUEL FOR YACHTS

As per the latest regulations released by Albanian authorities and customs, duty free fuel for yachts is currently not available in any Albanian ports.

For clarifications, your plans for the upcoming season, itineraries, berth bookings or any other yachting issue please do not hesitate to contact our agency.